Search by Name

Search by Name

BORN

1937

DIED

2024

FUNERAL HOME

Schwab Mortuary and Crematory - Afton

44 East 4th Ave.

Afton, Wyoming

Jeanniene Rydalch Obituary

Barbara Jeanniene Shields (Rydalch), residing in Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at age 87.

Jeanniene was born in Tooele, Utah, June 25, 1937. She spent her formative years in Lincoln, Utah, graduating from Tooele High School.

Jeanniene married Claude Leon Rydalch on May 9, 1956. "He literally swept me off my feet," she penned in her journal, after the two first met at a dance.

Claude and Jeanniene raised six children to maturity, overjoyed with their successes. Jeanniene worked for a time at Good Samaritan Nursing Home and as a receptionist for Dr. David H. Smith, when the children were older.

When Claude retired (after twenty-five years with the Idaho Falls Fire Department), he and Jeanniene moved to Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming, into a cabin which was built by Claude, Claude's father, and a few of his children on a lot near one of the greens of an 18-hole golf course. While living "at the ranch," Jeanniene learned how to golf and played with Claude, other retired firefighters, some of their wives, and friends. Indoors, she enjoyed painting and doing other crafts.

Jeanniene was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often serving in the young women program. She and Claude served as senior missionaries in the Utah Salt Lake City Family History Mission (December 1999-June 2001), where they indexed Ellis Island records.

Jeanniene was preceded in death by her second child, Mary Eliza (who was stillborn), her parents, Arthur Lowell Shields and Louis Sudbury Shields Brown, her step-sisters Wanda Rufener and Sandra Outzen, her daughter-in-law, Melanie (first wife of son Mike), her husband, Claude, a great-grandchild, Rob Saad, Jr., and her sister Lonnie Gifford.

Jeanniene is survived by her children, Lee (Janis), Carey (Audrey), Robin (Arnie) Bailey, Mike (Darlene), Wendy (Allen) Jones, and Todd (Trisha), her siblings, Glenda (Arlen) Shields and Ken (Pen) Shields, twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren.

She was interred on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Teton-Newdale Cemetery, next to her sweetheart of sixty-two years.

The family thanks Schwab Mortuary, Afton, Wyoming, for taking care of our every need.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Post Register on Aug. 30, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeanniene Rydalch

Sponsored by Schwab Mortuary and Crematory - Afton.

Not sure what to say?





5 Entries

Becky Simpson

August 31, 2024

We loved Jeanniene! She was so thoughtful and never forgot a birthday. Steven and Becky Simpson

Cindy Poulson

August 30, 2024

Hi my deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom.
It was a sad day when I found her obituary.
Hi met Claude and Jeannine from family history. I'm not quite sure of what we would be to one another. But a great great grandfather had many wives. Jeannine came down one line and my Mom and Aunt Alma came from another of his wives.
Anyway I have stayed in touch with Jeannine for many many years.
When I first contacted her they where living in Wyoming, then Montana ending in Idaho.
Love keeping in touch while they did there senior mission. Couple times we had lunch together.
They when Claude passed away she called me and we talked for quite away. She sure missed Claude.
She was a trooper and despite her medical issues she continued on her life. I will miss her phone conversations, her beautiful cards, her emails and mostly her.
God bless you all and help you find comfort in the memories she help you all build in her lifetime. Cindy Poulson

Lisa and DaveWoods

August 30, 2024

Sorry for your loss Wendy.

Doris Backstrom

August 30, 2024

Jeanniene was a friend for many years as our husbands were firefighters together. They played golf and enjoyed each other´s company.
This year I won´t receive a telephone call on my birthday and the telephone will be quiet. Her cheery voice asking how I have been, is no more.
Her update on her children and grandchildren, and her latest mishap health wise will need to come from someone else.
Who will tell me about her children now?
If there is a statue that we come put in the center of the courtyard, if would be of Jeanniene with her arms outstretched towards her children. She cared deeply about their wellbeing.
Good bye, dear friend, I will miss you.

Tara H.

August 30, 2024

Grandma- To the woman that taught me many things, helped raise me, and gave me a reason to laugh and smile every time I was around you. I will forever be grateful to call you my grandmother. I love you and I miss your warm smile and hugs.. Give gramps a big hug for me please!

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

Make a Donation
in Jeanniene Rydalch's name

Memorial Events
for Jeanniene Rydalch

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Schwab Mortuary and Crematory - Afton

44 East 4th Ave., Afton, WY 83110

How to support Jeanniene's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Jeanniene Rydalch's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more